Though LG said it wasn't the "star" of today's event, the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE (a mouthful) did make a cameo at the presentation. We got a few minutes to play with the device hands-on, but eyes-off - the watches on display were actually powered off, so we couldn't even use them in demo mode. Still, it's worth taking a look at least at the form factor of the watch.

The watch is unmistakably chunkier than some competitors, but it's important to remember that those competitors aren't packing in all the extra bits the new Urbane has - the new watch has cellular connectivity (so it has a SIM card too), a 570mAh (hexagon-shaped) battery, a 480x480 display, and a collection of sensors not dissimilar to the phone in your pocket. Plus, a speaker.

It also has three buttons on the right side - the middle one acts just like the button on any Android Wear device, while the top gets to your favorite contacts, and the bottom activates an obligatory OEM health feature - LG Health. The watch also has Google Fit (of course), if you'd rather.

Next to the Huawei Watch (is "Huatch" a thing yet?) the size difference is more apparent. If the Huatch just fits my thin wrists, the new LG watch is just too much (for me). The watch is large and weighty, the weight perhaps due in part to the fact that it uses the same stainless steel (and silicone) of the V10 also shown off today. But of course all those extra parts also take up space and have weight.

The bands, by the way, are not removable or interchangeable. LG explained that this is because the watch's important antennas live inside the bands. There will be black, white, and blue variants (like the V10 - so you can match) available at launch.

Speaking of launch, we don't know exactly when that will be. LG also hasn't announced pricing, so we will just have to wait and see. It's this writer's guess that the new Urbane will come at a premium given all that extra hardware.

What's more interesting than the particular product, at least to me, is that it's running Android Wear with cellular capabilities. Obviously it's the first, but it will be interesting to see if these capabilities pick up steam in future watches, and whether other manufacturers can possibly manage to put the features into a smaller package. We already know that the Huatch probably has a speaker inside, so the question of what speakers will do without cellular radios also begs for clarification.

Technically, the Huawei Watch would just be 'Watch' since it's pronounced (atleast according to the presenter yesterday) 'Wah-wey'.

In all seriousness that's a nice looking piece of hardware - but the lack of replaceable bands really makes me lose my interest.

BetterWithRoot

I like the Reddit sub name for the Huawei watch - /r/HWatch

"LG explained that this is because the watch's important antennas live inside the bands."

Oh man..what if something happened to the band? IE dog chewed on it or something happened. Does that render the device worthless? I mean it seems like a good place to put a few wires for connectivity, but I agree, the downside of non-replaceable bands doesn't seem like an equal trade off to me.

Logan Graham

I understand why they might be doing that, though I personally don't care about cellular features. Agree, I really don't think it is an equal tradeoff, I've said it a few times on G+ already, but my Gear Live band recently ended up breaking (helped some people moved and it put some strain on the band and popped the rivets out, not under 'normal' circumstances) and bought a replacement from Walmart for $8. Not being able to replace something like that which has normal wear and tear for all watches is something that I would definitely shy away from.

nxtiak

Wrist cancer too, YIKES!

tehdef

Prove it before you say stupid shit in a public space.

nxtiak

Whoosh

James Sully

Poe's law. It's wasn't necessarily a good bet that you were satirizing and not just an idiot, knowing nothing about you.

Carole Jimenez

GOOGLE CAREERS::As Joan replied I am stunned that a mom can make $28273 in four weeks on the internet ........Simple online work for all. Make $5000 to $9000 every week online.4-5hour day by day work..........read the full info here
/t1k.......➤➤➤ http://GoogleChampionTopPayingOnlineExtremeCareer/Earn/hourly/$97....✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥v

Dpat

Would've be nice if it had some sort of magnetic connection (edit: might mess with antenae tech?) the antenae, and mechanical for letting it in place. Similar to the top of the Apple Watch. Exception think its pogo pin for that?

Ichibanmugen

I wonder what type of warranty they'll give on the watch band? wear and tear is quite normal unless they promise like a 5 to 10 year warranty on the band. the watch wouldn't last that long though due to technology and the battery being dead at some point.

mattcoz

All that tech, all that size, and no ambient light sensor...

Christopher Peterson

Good lord, that's massive. No way I could wear that with my wrist size

Roberto Virga

Nah, I think I'll wait for the 3rd edition. Which will be announced in 3 weeks, if past history is any indication.

John

Pair it with a bluetooth headset like the Moto Hint and this thing could be a beast!

BetterWithRoot

What face is that on the HWatch? I am digging the font of the numbers.

No band changing means a pass. Good tech but I prefer metal bands first of all.
2nd, this creates an expiration date and/or an expensive repair on the
device. Watch bands can break from enough pressure or just wear &
tear.
I feel like this is nearly as bad as buying a phone that doesnt have glass over its display.

NothingUnknown

This is a really slick design language. Carry this on to the g watch second edition with a hwatch sized screen and I'm in.